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Inner Vision Skeleton dials reveal the intricate inner workings of these outstanding timepieces gafencu magazine time watches (9)

Inner Vision: Skeleton dials reveal the intricate inner workings of these outstanding timepieces

While many were still dazzled by the National Day fireworks that lit up the sky in early October, the region’s haute horology enthusiasts were gearing up for yet another Major Event – Poly Auction Hong Kong’s Autumn Sale. As ever, this saw a horde of high-earning horologists gather in eager anticipation of bidding for one or more of the hundreds of timeless timepieces – from classic chronometers to wacky one-off watches – going under the gavel during the event’s Important Watches auction.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-40162 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase.jpg" alt="Favourites from Poly Auction Hong Kong Important Watches showcase" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Favourites-from-Poly-Auction-Hong-Kong-Important-Watches-showcase-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
One of the most talked-about lots was undoubtedly <a href="https://www.patek.com/en/home">Patek Philippe</a>’s Ref. 6002 Sky Moon Tourbillon. Billed as the most mechanically-complex chronogram ever created by the legendary Swiss watchmaker, its eye-catching white gold case houses a staggering 12 complications, including a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, a moon phase, a sky chart and a minute repeater. Coming complete with a calibre 89 movement and a deep-blue dial, only five watches comprise this very limited edition.
<figure id="attachment_40156" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40156" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40156 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patek-Philippe’s-Ref.-6002-Sky-Moon-Tourbillon.jpg" alt="Patek Philippe’s Ref. 6002 Sky Moon Tourbillon" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patek-Philippe’s-Ref.-6002-Sky-Moon-Tourbillon.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patek-Philippe’s-Ref.-6002-Sky-Moon-Tourbillon-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patek-Philippe’s-Ref.-6002-Sky-Moon-Tourbillon-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patek-Philippe’s-Ref.-6002-Sky-Moon-Tourbillon-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patek-Philippe’s-Ref.-6002-Sky-Moon-Tourbillon-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40156" class="wp-caption-text">Patek Philippe’s Ref. 6002 Sky Moon Tourbillon</figcaption></figure>
Another key lure for big-spending bidders at Poly Auction Hong Kong was a collection of rare Zodiac-inspired timepieces from <a href="http://www.vacheron-constantin.com/en4/home.html">Vacheron Constantin</a>. Dubbed the Métiers d’Art “Les Masques”, each of the 12 pieces in the set features hand-carved masks as a cultural nod to the more baroque traditions that once prevailed in such far-flung locations as Tibet, Java, Gabon and the Congo. While otherwise unique, four incisions on the dial of each watch show the day, date, hours and minutes, with each design also featuring an engraved verse courtesy of Michel Butor, the renowned French writer.
<figure id="attachment_40159" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40159" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40159 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vacheron-Constantins-Métiers-d’Art-“Les-Masques”-Collection.jpg" alt="Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d’Art “Les Masques” Collection" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vacheron-Constantins-Métiers-d’Art-“Les-Masques”-Collection.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vacheron-Constantins-Métiers-d’Art-“Les-Masques”-Collection-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vacheron-Constantins-Métiers-d’Art-“Les-Masques”-Collection-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vacheron-Constantins-Métiers-d’Art-“Les-Masques”-Collection-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vacheron-Constantins-Métiers-d’Art-“Les-Masques”-Collection-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40159" class="wp-caption-text">Vacheron Constantin&#8217;s Métiers d’Art “Les Masques” Collection</figcaption></figure>
<a href="https://www.cartier.com/">Cartier</a> is another marque that has had occasion to eschew the traditional dial style, as exemplified by its Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier – Cockatiel, one of this year’s other leading lots. With almost every inch of this limited-edition ladies’ watch dazzlingly decked with diamonds and sapphires, its look is heightened still further by the bejeweled rose gold cockatiel perched enticingly on its sapphire crystal case.
<figure id="attachment_40161" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40161" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40161 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cartiers-Le-Cirque-Animalier-de-Cartier-–-Cockatiel.jpg" alt="Cartier's Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier – Cockatiel" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cartiers-Le-Cirque-Animalier-de-Cartier-–-Cockatiel.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cartiers-Le-Cirque-Animalier-de-Cartier-–-Cockatiel-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cartiers-Le-Cirque-Animalier-de-Cartier-–-Cockatiel-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cartiers-Le-Cirque-Animalier-de-Cartier-–-Cockatiel-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cartiers-Le-Cirque-Animalier-de-Cartier-–-Cockatiel-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40161" class="wp-caption-text">Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier – Cockatiel</figcaption></figure>
Never one to be outdone, <a href="https://www.jacobandco.com/">Jacob &amp; Co.</a>’s Brilliant Flying Tourbillon is another timepiece sure to set tongues wagging at Poly Auction Hong Kong&#8217;s Important Watches showcase. A staggering 330 baguette-cut pink sapphires grace this 18-piece limited release model’s case, crown and dial, while a further 346 brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the movement’s splint, with all of them eminently evident via its transparent caseback.
<figure id="attachment_40155" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40155" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40155 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Jacob-Cos-Brilliant-Flying-Tourbillon.jpg" alt="Jacob &amp; Co's Brilliant Flying Tourbillon" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Jacob-Cos-Brilliant-Flying-Tourbillon.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Jacob-Cos-Brilliant-Flying-Tourbillon-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Jacob-Cos-Brilliant-Flying-Tourbillon-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Jacob-Cos-Brilliant-Flying-Tourbillon-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Jacob-Cos-Brilliant-Flying-Tourbillon-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40155" class="wp-caption-text">Jacob &amp; Co&#8217;s Brilliant Flying Tourbillon</figcaption></figure>
Equally alluring was an offering from <a href="https://www.richardmille.com/">Richard Mille</a> – the Ref. RM003 AO Ti-CA. Taking its inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s Formula One track, this elegant wrist adornment features the Yas Marina Circuit’s signature white and blue hues on its inner bezel and straps, while a map of the race track keeps things interesting on its caseback. In keeping with the Swiss label’s love of all things outré, its entire tonneau-shaped case has been constructed from North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) carbon, apparently a first in the world of watchmaking.
<figure id="attachment_40157" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40157" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40157 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ref.-RM003-AO-Ti-CA-by-Richard-Mille.jpg" alt="Ref. RM003 AO Ti-CA by Richard Mille" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ref.-RM003-AO-Ti-CA-by-Richard-Mille.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ref.-RM003-AO-Ti-CA-by-Richard-Mille-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ref.-RM003-AO-Ti-CA-by-Richard-Mille-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ref.-RM003-AO-Ti-CA-by-Richard-Mille-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ref.-RM003-AO-Ti-CA-by-Richard-Mille-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40157" class="wp-caption-text">Ref. RM003 AO Ti-CA by Richard Mille</figcaption></figure>
Another lot boasting the very finest horological craftsmanship was <a href="http://www.hytwatches.com/">HYT</a> (Hydro Mechanical Horologists)’s Skull – Guns N’ Roses Edition. Despite its status as something of a newcomer, having only entered the market in 2012, HYT’s trademark hydraulic movements have already won it legions of devoted followers, including Axl Rose, the lead singer of LA rockers Guns N’ Roses, who actually designed this piece. Featuring a dominant skull dial motif ringed by a water-filled capillary, its way of telling time sees the water level passing the corresponding hour markers as the day progresses.
<figure id="attachment_40158" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40158" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40158 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Skull-–-Guns-N’-Roses-Edition-by-HYT.jpg" alt="Skull – Guns N’ Roses Edition by HYT" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Skull-–-Guns-N’-Roses-Edition-by-HYT.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Skull-–-Guns-N’-Roses-Edition-by-HYT-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Skull-–-Guns-N’-Roses-Edition-by-HYT-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Skull-–-Guns-N’-Roses-Edition-by-HYT-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Skull-–-Guns-N’-Roses-Edition-by-HYT-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40158" class="wp-caption-text">Skull – Guns N’ Roses Edition by HYT</figcaption></figure>
Of course, it wasn’t all about recently-released avant garde timepieces, with several fine vintage watches that harked back to a far more understatedly elegant era also up for auction. Taking pride of place among these carefully-curated classics was a 1947 <a href="https://www.rolex.com/">Rolex</a> Cloisonné Enamel “Dragon”, featuring a unique cloisonné enamel dragon motif created in partnership with Stern Frères, the legendary Swiss dial maker. One of only five such watches ever created, this rare artefact has become somewhat synonymous with the very best of post-WWII horological precision engineering.
<figure id="attachment_40160" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40160" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40160 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vintage-1947-Cloisonné-Enamel-“Dragon”-by-Rolex.jpg" alt="Vintage 1947 Cloisonné Enamel “Dragon” by Rolex" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vintage-1947-Cloisonné-Enamel-“Dragon”-by-Rolex.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vintage-1947-Cloisonné-Enamel-“Dragon”-by-Rolex-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vintage-1947-Cloisonné-Enamel-“Dragon”-by-Rolex-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vintage-1947-Cloisonné-Enamel-“Dragon”-by-Rolex-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Vintage-1947-Cloisonné-Enamel-“Dragon”-by-Rolex-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40160" class="wp-caption-text">Vintage 1947 Cloisonné Enamel “Dragon” by Rolex</figcaption></figure>
From bejewelled designs and outré models to historic timepieces from yesteryears, Poly Auction Hong Kong’s expansive Autumn Sale did indeed boast a fine selection of rare high-end watches, many of them guaranteed to tempt even the most discerning of collectors. It was a strategy that paid huge dividends for the auction house, with its total takings for the day said to be in the region of HK$900 million.
Text: Tenzing Thondup

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Inner Vision: Skeleton dials reveal the intricate inner workings of these outstanding timepieces

Highlights from Poly Auction Hong Kong’s Important Watches auction